Most everything we read on homeschool mom blogs is about becoming more efficient, more productive, more — whatever. How to get the best deal, how to homeschool 10 kids at once, how to have a clean house and homeschool those 10 kids at once, etc. All really interesting articles on their own, but what they really boil down to is – how can you do more with the limited resource of YOU?

If you’ve been around for a while, you know I have gone hard-core gluten-free (undiagnosed celiac because my results were “inconclusive.” BLEH.) Living through this meant I have spent several years with about 25% of my previous energy levels, and couldn’t do half of what I used to do, and barely make it through the other half that I had to do, whether I felt like it or not. Through this experience, I realized that ENERGY, not just time, is my most valuable personal commodity. Can I do something had all new meaning.

So, becoming very productive and efficient took on greater and greater importance for me. How can I do more with less. How can I stretch that less of me that I had to spend to cover the necessities of things that have to get done?

Exercise can help you find your optimal work-life balance (change that to “homeschool-rest of life balance” and you get the idea) –

here are a few of my own that I would add as a homeschool mom:

Exercise gives you time to mentally chill AWAY from the kids. It took me time to figure out when I first started homeschooling how much I needed this. Public school has set hours, but when you homeschool it can feel like you are “on” as a teacher all the time! Looking to help learning happen 24 hours a day can be rewarding, but it can also lead to some serious brain fatigue! Sometimes you just need to turn the brain off for a while, and obviously doing this while working out is much better than vegging in front of the TV.

Exercise reminds you that you are more than just a homeschool mom. Man, I could so write a book about that alone, but what I have found by making time for myself and my health is just one thing that reminds me there is more to me than just being a homeschool mom. My identity isn’t found solely by that title.

Exercise is one way I can lead my kids by example. Part of my own personal parenting theory is that since kids learn best by watching what you do, that I really need to live the life I want them to lead as adults. I need to be the role model and example I want them to follow. A major component of that for me is that I want them to lead healthy lives. And how can they know how to do that if I (and their father, of course) don’t model that for them? Teaching them about nutrition, about healthy eating choices is a part of that. But also, showing them how important taking care of your physical body is another component. Whether I want to or not on that particular day, I want my girls to SEE ME taking time to take care of myself.

Exercise can make me more healthy, which means I can then fulfill my regular roles. There is nothing like having your health taken away to help you appreciate it more. This falls under the “put your own oxygen mask on first” category. Even now, I am propped up on a couch not feeling my best, rather than spending it with my girls at the pool. If I want to be the person I want to be, the mom/wife I want to be; I have to take the steps to keep myself in a physical state that allows me to do so. (Please note – this is not me trying to be Superwoman, this is about me living at a level that is higher than “barely functioning.)

Exercise makes me feel better about myself. I want my girls to have a healthy level of self-esteem, but again I have to role-model that for them. How can I do that if I have terrible self-esteem about my body? And I do, as I’m sure about 99.99999% of women in the US struggle with every day. But I want more for my girls. Is it possible to inoculate them from that particular disease? I can only doing it by living it out, and the only way I can live that out is by becoming healthy and feeling better about the skin that I am in. Taking care of my physical body is not only about losing weight (even though I really need that), it’s also about showing my girls that I value myself enough to take care of myself. I am worth it.

When we first started to homeschool, hubby and I discussed what the schedule might be. I had read several posts about “homeschooling year-round” and decided that was for us. It made complete sense to me, even beyond all the facts and figures. The girls were young, it’s not like we spent that much time each day in organized lessons to begin with, and I had to keep them occupied somehow. It allowed us to have a very flexible schedule and take vacations/breaks whenever we wanted. Plus, it really seemed to help to keep our lives on a good routine.

And then, I started to burn out.

The first time, I took off a month. Having the break in routine was a welcome change and let us all recover from mental fatigue.

The second time, I took a two month break, and within weeks the girls were begging to do school again. They loved learning, and mommy wanting a vacation from homeschool meant little to them. I crammed all my lesson planning into one week, and then away we went again.

Last year we had a “summer break” in the sense that we didn’t do official homeschool for the entire summer. Unfortunately, we also spent the entire summer with the move from HE-you-know-what. Preparing and lesson plans were squeezed in between repair contractors and my job. I had absolutely no break whatsoever. Getting back to homeschooling in September was a very welcome reprieve!

By this Spring though, I was DONE. D-O-N-E, put a fork in me DONE. Tired and weary, I just needed a break. A true break, one that was going to allow me to catch up on the backlog to-do that I was drowning in, but also a break that would remind me why I was homeschooling in the first place.

And yet, my girls still love learning. They see no need for a long “break” from that at all! (After all, summers during public school for me was all about getting to spend my day playing and doing the activities that I wanted to do. We don’t have that problem in homeschool!) Even while writing this post, my youngest just asked when we are going to get back to the Physics unit we were studying.

MY SOLUTION – SUMMER CAMPS.

We have been mightily blessed that my husband’s job allows him to have a FSA – Flexible Spending Account for childcare. We always fund it, because that usually pays for our regular childcare while I work. Now that the kids are older, they don’t need as much of that during the day as before, so we also use it to cover any summer camp activities I can find.

In the past we did a FABULOUS math camp in the Northern Virginia area (MathTree for anyone who is there.) Our first purpose in this was to make sure they were strong in math, and cover any pitfalls they might have because I am the one teaching them. (I am not a math person. AT ALL.) I love that camp so much that I’d pay for it, even without that FSA account. But, Math Camp and VBS was all that we did.

This summer though, I knew I needed more time. I really needed that entire summer off. Of course though, I can’t take the summer off from being Mom if they are still home! So I was on a mission to find really good-quality summer camps.

Since I’m not really looking for “playtime childcare,” I tend to focus on “educational” type opportunities, specifically on activities that we haven’t been able to investigate during the year, or to help cover any possible “mom-weak spots” like the Math Camp I mentioned before. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a “math camp” here. But even without that, the girls are having a total blast with all the cool things they are doing.

This is our summer plan:

One week at Franklin Institute (Children Science Museum) in Philadelphia. We LOVE the Franklin Institute. I just wish it wasn’t in downtown Philly, with the hellacious drive.

One week at local community college kid camp – one did art camp, and one did a “building” camp. The art camp was loved, but sadly, the building ended up being more “crafts” and less “using real hammer and nails” like our younger one hoped. (Neither hubby and I are very “handy” type people.)

One week off the week of July 4th- they played at home a ton, and we went to the community pool as well!

One week of VBS at our church. I spent the mornings running errands and doing meetings, then the girls came home and played each afternoon.

One week of dance/cheerleading camp at their dance center. We didn’t do Upwards Cheerleading last winter and they’ve been asking about it.

One week of sewing/knitting camp, hosted by another local community college. My girls have been begging for this, but I don’t know how to do either! I was so excited when I found this one.

One week of no camp, because I have to take a work trip and can’t do the carpool. Most likely we will have our Spanish-speaking babysitter here those days I’m gone, and she will continue to work on their Spanish as they play.

One week learning of “World Culture” camp at Pearl S. Buck International. This goes along with our World Geography emphasis right now, and also allows us to take advantage of an awesome local resource.

And then, hopefully 2 weeks of hanging out at the beach and with family!

At Franklin Institute. Proudly showing off our homeschool T-Shirts.

Art Camp. Self Portraits.

I’ve been using this time to make myself work on my to-do list! I’ve been cranking out work projects (that were sadly way-past-due), networking locally to find new business and clientele, and catching up on a few work writing projects. It’s that list of “I need to do this” that I haven’t been able to make time for over the past year. You know – that list that hangs over your head making you feel stressed out because X didn’t get done. As an also-working-homeschool-mom, most of mine are work-related right now, in addition to the 60 million blog posts I’m holding in my head for this blog! For you, it could be the deep spring-now-summer clean, or the errands and chores that never get done, or perhaps to get ahead in prepping for the fall.

And as much as getting everything done, it has been a massive sanity saver! I really just needed some time where I wasn’t the one who was coming up with cool summer activities and fun things for the kids to do. My kids also seem to thrive on having a at least a bit of structure in their day and on having some sort of routine. We all love free-form-play days, but after about 3-4 days of that there is usually some sort of behavioral outburst. And frankly, I can’t seem to concentrate well if they are in the house. My “mom-antenna” just won’t turn off if they are here and awake. So projects that require long stretches of quiet or concentration (like my writing projects, or video recordings for work) tend to not happen. So, I’ve been able to take these weeks and just THINK for just a few hours. It’s been awesome.

If you’re a bit creative, year-round “homeschool” can still happen, even if you are on a tight budget! I remember my parents taking me to several different VBS programs when I was growing up. We also were very active in the library summer program – they had a special event/activity once a week.

I have found that today’s working parents are always looking for great deals on summer programs and it feels that there are a growing number of more affordable camps out there – so be sure to ask around! The local YMCA and nature centers might also have “free programs.”

My sister, a school teacher, also used to do what she called “Papa Camp” where Grandpa comes and takes over the week! Sometimes he’d bring the boys down to his house for the week and they’d have the fun of going to the beach and fishing, etc.

Or, you can get a bit creative and “create camp” with a few homeschool moms! Do you have a few families that your kids play well together? Perhaps you moms can each rotate taking a week being “summer camp leader” and share the load, giving the other moms a few weeks off. Locally, I’ve heard of free bowling afternoons and $1 movies.

One of the perks of my “experiment” this summer? I have realized that I absolutely hate carpooling. Just another renewed appreciation for the freedom of homeschooling! I have loved that my girls are having these experiences, but I hate the driving back and forth, the stress of getting up to make sure we get to Point A by a certain time, remembering to make lunches the night before as well as actually remembering to take the lunches with us, dealing with traffic (or what PA seems to consider traffic. HA), and then stressing to make sure that I leave wherever I am to make sure I am back in time to pick them up from Point A at a specific, certain time. I’m very thankful we’ll be back to our “normal” soon!

Another lesson learned, is to not get to a point where I burn out so badly in the first place! I am going to be much more intentional about my planning this year. When we changed our homeschool plan last January, it made a true difference in our homeschool experience, for me. I feel I can really relax and just enjoy the homeschool study with them, as opposed to stressing about whether or not I’m doing enough, blah blah blah. I’ve learned to trust the process, and it’s become one of my of my favorite parts of my day. BUT, I am going to be sure to schedule in full week breaks with regularity in our upcoming school schedule. That way, if we are “behind,” we have a time set aside to catch up. If we’re “caught up”, we have time set aside for goofing off and play! I’m also going to put us on a full 4-day week schedule, allowing for one day to be devoted to whatever it needs to be devoted to. Some weeks that might be free-play while mom works on a work project, some weeks it might be focusing on AHG badge work and learning projects that never got into the rotation last year. So far, this fall we’ll work on some fun AHG Badges for the girls, and I also want to spend some time doing music theory lessons and getting very intentional about their Spanish.

Oh, and the best part? I can count these camp days toward our “homeschool days” requirement of 180 days here in PA. So we are getting a huge jump-start on this year, the girls are still learning even if I am not the one teaching, AND my to-do list is being completed! I’m practically having my cake and eating it too!

Or, perhaps, a better question is — have you done anything with the recordings once you received them?

This was my dilemma this past year!

Sometime in January, I realized I had multiple years of recordings that I had never even touched. I buy them every year with very good intentions, but never actually listen to them!

About the same time, I was working on my New Year’s goals – of which one of them is to get in better shape and lose weight before my XXth (you know, it ends in a 0) birthday this December. And then I thought – heck, I can kill two birds with one stone!

I downloaded the entire collection onto my iPod and set off to the gym. My oldest had ballet on Wednesdays this past year and her class is in the same complex as my gym. So the youngest went into the childcare room, and I got on the treadmill for a solid 50 minutes each week. (Plus 5 minutes of treking to the treadmill once I dropped the oldest off, and 5 minutes treking back.)

Staying entertained at the gym has always been my biggest downfall. Classes are hard for me because my strength and endurance level aren’t enough to endure a high intensity class for the full hour, and this gym seems to schedule their classes at odd times. But getting on the equipment was always a bore. I could last about 15 minutes before going stark raving mad. (Why are all the dumbest TV shows on in the only time slots I can seem to make it to the gym?) I would listen to music, but then I’d spend half the time choosing music or flipping between songs.

So, the convention recordings are PERFECT for my workouts! Most recordings are at just around an hour, so the timing is perfect for me. Once I get the treadmill going, I really didn’t having to think about what I am doing. (I’m klutz-prone and actually have to focus on the elliptical or stair-thing-a-ma-jig. I actually sprained my ankle in June putting on shoes. Not even kidding.) But walking at a good speed? That I can handle! I can really focus on the words being said instead of what my feet are doing.

At first I made it about 20 minutes before my legs started to protest and then I would spend the rest of time doing good yoga stretches, etc. But by the end of the semester, I was able to walk almost the entire hour at a quick walk speed! I was even trying to figure out how I could squeeze a second workout hour somewhere into my schedule! And then of course, I sprained my ankle putting on shoes and sadly spent the rest of this summer so far trying to heal from that.

But this week my girls are attending a camp at my gym and I’m going to start the regimen once again after I drop them off. I am so glad I have some new recordings to listen to!

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

The Proverbs 31 Woman (nasb)

Description of a Worthy Woman

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.